Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

The book explores the history, science, and culture of breathing and its impacts on human health. It investigates the history of how humans shifted from the natural state of nasal breathing to chronic mouth breathing. Nestor explores research that argues that this shift (due to the increased consumption of processed foods) has led to a rise in snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease, and allergies. It includes Nestor's first-person experiences with breathing. He also worked with scientists at Stanford University whose research suggests that returning to a state of nasal breathing will improve an individual's health.

The book is divided into three parts: The Lost Art of Breathing, The Science of Breathing, and The Power of Breathing.

In The Lost Art of Breathing, Nestor explores the history of breathing and how it has changed over time. He discusses the different breathing types, including nasal and mouth breathing. He also talks about the different ways that people breathe around the world.

He cites a number of examples, including:

• The Maasai people of Kenya, who have a long tradition of nasal breathing. They believe that mouth breathing is unhealthy and that it can lead to a number of health problems.

• The yogis of India, who have developed a number of breathing exercises that are designed to improve health and well-being.

• The ancient Greeks, who believed that breathing was essential for good health. They developed a number of breathing exercises that were used to treat a variety of ailments.

• The ancient Egyptians, who also believed that breathing was essential for good health. They developed a number of breathing exercises that were used to improve the health of the heart and lungs.

Nestor also cites a number of studies that have shown the benefits of nasal breathing. For example, one study found that nasal breathing can help to improve sleep quality. Another study found that nasal breathing can help to reduce stress and anxiety. And yet another study found that nasal breathing can help to improve athletic performance.

In The Science of Breathing, Nestor discusses the science behind breathing. He talks about how breathing affects the body, including the heart, lungs, brain, and immune system. He also talks about how breathing can improve health and performance.

In The Power of Breathing, Nestor shares his personal experiences with breathing. He talks about how he improved his health and performance by changing how he breathed. He also shares stories from others who have benefited from changing their breathing patterns.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is a well-researched and informative book that provides a comprehensive overview of the science and history of breathing. Nestor's personal experiences add a touch of humanity to the book and make it compelling. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the importance of breathing and how to improve their breathing patterns.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:

• Nasal breathing is better than mouth breathing for overall health.

• Breathing through the nose helps to filter out pollutants and allergens.

• Breathing through the nose helps to warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.

• Breathing through the nose helps to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure.

• Breathing through the nose helps to improve sleep quality.

• Breathing through the nose helps to improve athletic performance.

• Breathing through the nose can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

If you want to improve your health and well-being, one of the best things you can do is learn how to breathe correctly. You can reap the benefits of nasal breathing by following the tips in Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.